So Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon has staff snooping around for dirt on council member Brian Sullivan, the lone “no” vote for commercial flights at Paine Field. Perhaps it’s time for closer examination of the County Executive’s actions. Mr. Reardon continually states he’s opposed to commercial service at Paine Field, yet new evidence appears to contradict these assertions and require clarification.
According to the Mukilteo Beacon, documents obtained by Save Our Communities under public disclosure law indicate Mr. Reardon’s executive assistant, Peter Camp, and airport director Dave Waggoner have been working behind the scenes, apparently with the aid of certain FAA officials to facilitate a change in Paine Field’s operating classification to allow commercial service.
Here’s an example from a message sent by Mr. Waggoner: “This is the first positive vote on air service in this county in recorded history. Did you hear that Peter Camp nominated (FAA) Carol Suomi for sainthood?” Two high-level staff that report directly to Mr. Reardon going rogue? Highly doubtful.
More information can be found in SOC’s environmental-assessment comments at socnw.org. Read them to learn how our County Council was coerced by the FAA’s heavy-handed interference and FAA’s misleading statements to Congressman Jay Inslee.
A done deal? Not so fast. With these new facts, the council should revisit the vote to build a terminal and any discussions between the executive’s office and airlines. Ample evidence exists indicating we must call for a complete investigation and proper review before any determination is made on Paine Field. Accountability is paramount; these improprieties only create distrust between government and constituents. And shame on The Herald for ignoring this important story.
Roger Huycke
Mukilteo
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